If you’ve been struggling with time management, you might not realize the little extra keyboard strokes you make can add up. Every little tap and swipe make a difference.
These keyboard ‘hacks’ will make your life significantly easier. To help you remember them (there are a lot) here is a quick tip:
- Print out all of the shortcuts you need the most or write them down on a post-it note. Put this somewhere you will be able to easily see while you’re working.
Keyboard Shortcuts with the Windows Logo Key
The following table shows the different shortcuts that can be used with the Windows logo key symbol ⊞. Windows 7 and 8 users can implement these shortcuts as well.
| Press This Key | To Do This |
|---|---|
| ⊞ Win | Open or close the Start menu |
| ⊞ Win + Pause | Display the System Properties dialog box |
| ⊞ Win + D | Display the desktop |
| ⊞ Win + M | Minimize all open windows |
| ⊞ Win + Shift + M | Resort minimized windows to the desktop |
| ⊞ Win + E | Open 'Computer' |
| ⊞ Win + F | Search for computers (if you're on a network) |
| ⊞ Win + L | Lock your computer or switch users |
| ⊞ Win + R | Open the Run dialog box |
| ⊞ Win + T | Cycle through programs on the taskbar |
| ⊞ Win + number | Start the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program |
| Shift + ⊞ Win + number | Start a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
| Ctrl + ⊞ Win + number | Switch to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
| Alt + ⊞ Win + number | Open the Jump List for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
| ⊞ Win + Tab | Cycle through programs on the taskbar and scrolls through your open apps (and in Windows 10 your virtual Desktops) |
| Ctrl + ⊞ Win + B | Switch to the program that displayed a message in the notification area |
| ⊞ Win + Spacebar | Preview the desktop |
| ⊞ Win + Up Arrow | Maximize the window |
| ⊞ Win + Left Arrow | Maximize the window to the left side of the screen |
| ⊞ Win + Right Arrow | Maximize the window to the right side of the screen |
| ⊞ Win + Down Arrow | Minimize the window |
| ⊞ Win + Home | Minimize all but the active windows |
| ⊞ Win + Shift + Up Arrow | Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen |
| ⊞ Win + Shift + Left or Right Arrow | Move a window from one monitor to another |
| ⊞ Win + P | Choose a presentation display mode |
| ⊞ Win + G | Cycle through gadgets |
| ⊞ Win + U | Open Ease of Access Center |
| ⊞ Win + X | Open a context menu of useful advanced Features |
Internet Browser Keyboard Shortcuts
Whatever your go-to browser is, either Google Chrome, Windows Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or the new Microsoft Edge on Windows 10, these shortcuts will make your life easier:
| Press This Key | To Do This |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | Open a new window |
| Ctrl + W | Close the current window |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder |
| End | Display the bottom of the active window |
| Home | Display the top of the active window |
| F11 | Maximize or minimize the active window |
| Ctrl + Period (.) | Rotate a picture clockwise |
| Ctrl + Comma (,) | Rotate a picture counter-clockwise |
| Num Lock + Asterisk (*) on numeric keypad | Display all subfolders under the selected folder |
| Num Lock + Plus Sign (+) on numeric keypad | Display the contents of the selected folder |
| Num Lock + Minus Sign (-) on numeric keypad | Collapse the selected folder |
| Ctrl + Tab | Navigates through browser tabs |
| Alt + Enter | Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item |
| Alt + P | Display the preview pane |
| Alt + Left Arrow | View the previous folder |
| Shift + Ctrl + Tab | Navigates browser tabs in reverse |
| Alt + Right Arrow | View the next folder |
| Alt + Up Arrow | View the parent folder |
| Ctrl + Shift + E | Display all folders about the selected folder |
| Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel | Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons |
| Alt + D | Select the address bar |
| Ctrl + E | Select the search box |
New to Windows 10: Standard Shortcuts Worth Regularly Adopting
There is a set of keyboard shortcuts that is specifically for Windows 10 users, making them essential for the new OS that is readily accessible. Before Windows 10, the Keyboard buttons ⊞ Win + ← or ⊞ Win + → to “snap” windows to exactly half the screen for multi-window viewing. Now windows not only fit to half the screen, they can also shrink into quadrants:
-
- Hold ⊞ Win and press ← then ↑ to move your window to the upper left quadrant of the screen. Use the → for screen-right, ↓ for lower quadrants, etc.
The Best of Windows 10 Shortcuts and Quick Access to Basic System Functions:
-
- ⊞ Win + C: Awakes Cortana for voice input
- ⊞ Win + S: Opens Cortana’s Daily Glance feature (e.g., weather, sprots, News)
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Opens Task Manager
- ⊞ Win + F: Opens the Feedback Hub with a screenshot attached to your feedback
- ⊞ Win + I: Opens the Settings App
- ⊞ Win + X + A: Opens Command Prompt with administrative rights
- ⊞ Win + X + P: Opens Control Panel
- ⊞ Win + X + M: Opens Device Manager
- ⊞ Win + x + U: Then S Puts your PC to sleep
- ⊞ Win + Down: Minimizes an app
- ⊞ Win + Up: Maximizes an app
To capture what’s on your screen:
-
- • ⊞ Win + Alt + R: Start/stop recording your apps & games
Mastering File Explorer:
-
- Alt + D File Explorer or browser: Puts you in the address bar
- F2 on a file: Rename the file
- Shift + Right click on a file: “Copy as path” is added to the context menu
Shortcuts for Cortana (the smart Windows 10 digital assistance, named after an Xbox game Avatar from the famous game ‘Halo’):
-
- ⊞ Win + Shift + C: Opens Cortana to listen to an inquiry
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